Recording devices



P 1964 P. H. DIXON ETAL 3,150,915

RECORDING DEVICES Filed Feb. 11, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS PAUL H. DIXON BURNS DAR$\E.

Sept- 9, 1964 P. H. DIXON ETAL RECORDING DEVICES 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 11, 1965 INVENTORS PAUL. H. DIXON B BURNS DAR$\E.

FLH' 5 United States Patent ice 3,150,915 RECORDING DEVICES Paul H. Dixon and Burns Darsie, Rockford, Ill., assignors to Peter G. S. Mero, Evanston, Ill. Filed Feb. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 257,471 7 Claims. (Cl. 346140) This invention relates to recording devices and more particularly to new and improved liquid-ink recording pen assemblies for use in graphic communication recorders.

In graphic communication systems messages, sketches, or other data transcribed upon a writing surface at one station of the system are automatically reproduced at a second station in the system. The initial transcription is usually accomplished manually. The transmitter includes suitable apparatus for analyzing movements of a transmitter stylus or similar recording device and for developing electrical control signals representative of those movements. These signals are transmitted to and control the operation of a receiver recorder. A preferred system of this general kind is described in United States Patent No. 2,583,535 to Robert Adler, issued January 29, 1952, and in United States Patent No. 2,649,503 to Robert Adler, issued August 18, 1953.

In such graphic communication systems, it is also necessary to provide a means for periodically replacing the recording medium, which is usually a continuous paper web but may constitute individual sheets of paper or other suitable material. Hence, a control signal is also transmitted to the receiver to control the paper-feeding operation at the receiver, a paper feed control apparatus of this kind being described and claimed in Patent No. 2,621,249 to T. I. Ress, issued December 9, 1952.

In many instances, it is desirable to use a liquid ink recording arrangement at the transmitter or receiver of a graphic communication system of the kind described briefly hereinabove. Control of the ink supply, however, may present substantial problems, particularly if the recording operation entails substantial vertical movement of the recording pen. Thus, if the pen is moved upwardly relative to an initial starting position, and a gravity feed arrangement is used for the ink, there may be an insufiicient supply of ink available at the upper limit of the pen movement. On the other hand, a downward movement of the pen may cause flooding of the recording surface. Similar problems may be encountered with lateral movement of the pen due to the acceleration forces involved. Thus, skipping and flooding, where a liquid ink supply is employed, may lead to substantial illegibility of the recorded message, the problems being most acute where the recording surface is disposed in a substantially vertical plane, or at least at a substantial angle to the horizontal.

One system for alleviating this problem is described in the co-pending application of Walter J. Zenner, Serial No. 165,504, filed January 11, 1962, now Patent No. 3,116,964, in which an auxiliary ink reservoir is mounted on the pen arm for movement with the pen. In the Zenner' system, ink may be supplied to this auxiliary reservoir each time there is an interruption of operation to feed a fresh sheet of paper into recording position. The ink supply for the pen is then derived directly from the auxiliary reservior. An improved system of this kind, using a recirculating ink supply system, is described and claimed in the co-pending application of William H.

Bussey et a1, Serial No; 257,472, filed February 11, 1963.

The present invention is directed to an improvement and v modification of the Zenner system, affording amore posi- In any graphic communication system used to trans- 3,150,915 Patented Sept. 29, 1964 mit general information, the construction of a transceiver also presents substantial problems because of the necessity of moving the writing stylus or pen into and out of contact with the recording surface. For receiver operation this movement must be eifected rapidly in response to received pen contact signals. For transmitter operation, however, the pen must be rugged and able to withstand considerbale abuse, since it is driven by the operator using the transceiver station as a transmitter. Previously known devices have solved some of the problems relating to transceiver operation; in particular, a convenient yet effective means for attaching a suitable hand-held stylus member to the recording pen is described and claimed in Patent No. 2,937,917 of Myron L. Anthony, issued May 24, 1960. Nevertheless, considerable difficulties remain, particularly with respect to damage to the receiver pen where the Writing stylus is connected directly to that pen.

It is a principal object of the present invention therefore, to afford a more positive control of the ink supply in an auxiliary ink reservoir of a graphic communication device in which the auxiliary reservoir is carried with and is incorporated in the pen structure.

A more explicit object of the invention is to eliminate flooding and skipping, in the operation of a graphic communication recording pen, as the result of rapid changes in acceleration of the pen.

A particular feature of the present invention is the provision of a tandem pair of auxiliary reservoirs constructed as an integral part of the recording pen for a graphic communication station, the reservoirs being interconnected to permit one to function as an overflow reservoir for the other and at the same time to eliminate unwanted effects due to movement of the ink or other recording fluid within the reservoirs.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved pen structure for a graphic communication receiver that allows for the use of a substantially heavier pen structure than normally employed, yet does not impose undue limitations on the pen lift mechanism of the recorder when used as a receiver.

Another object of the invention is to provide a single rugged recording pen for a transceiver that may be engaged directly by a manually operable stylus member, for transmitter operation, without danger to the pen.

A specific object of the invention is to provide effective compensation for the Weight of a relatively heavy reservoir and connector mechanism, in a recording pen for a graphic communication transceiver, to permit rapid pen lift movements during either receiver or transmitter operation.

Other and further objects of the prevent invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and What is now considered to be the best mode contemplated for applying these principles. Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same or equivalent principles may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the purview of the appended claims. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic elevation view of a graphic communication transceiver that includes a recording pen assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view, drawn to an enlarged scale, of a recording pen assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of the recording pen assembly;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pen assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 8 are sectional elevation views taken approximately along lines 5S, 66, 7-7 and 88, respectively in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is an end elevation view taken approximately as indicated by line 9-9 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 1 illustrates a graphic communication recording transceiver station 10 that may be used as either the transmitter or the receiver of a graphic communication system. The recording station It) includes a recording base or platen 11 across which a paper web 12 extends. The paper web 12 extends from a supply roll (not shown) that may be located behind the platen 11, across a guide roller 13, and into engagement with a paper feed roll 14. In the illustrated arrangement, the paper Web 12 is provided with a series of apertures 15 along each edge; these apertures 15 are engaged by a series of projecting sprocket teeth 16 on the paper feed roll 14.

The recording station 16 further includes a pen support arm 17 that carries, at one end thereof, a recording pen assembly 18. Pen assembly 18 terminates in a nib 2.1 which engages the paper Web or other recording medium 12 to record a message thereon. The pen support arm 17 forms a part of a pen linkage 22 that is utilized to control operation of the pen 18 when the recording station 14) is used as a receiver, the same linkage being employed in the development of coordinate control signals when the device 10 is employed as a transmitter. Thus, the pen support arm 17 is pivotally mounted upon a link 22 telescoped in a driving arm 23, the driving arm 23 being mounted for rotation about an axis 24. The pen arm 17 is also connected by a link 25 to a second, driving arm 26 that is independently mounted for rotation with respect to the axis 24.

Pivotal movement of the driving arm 23 may be effected, relative to the axis 24, by a first servo motor 2'7 to control movement of the pen 1% along a first axis designated in FIG. 1 as the Y axis. The driving arm 26 is connected by a pair of links 28 and 29 to a second servo motor 31. The servo motor 31 controls rotational movement of the drive arm 26 to actuate the pen arm 1'7 and move the pen 18 along a second axis designated as the X axis. This pantograph or pen linkage 22 is essentially similar in construction to that described and claimed in the aforementioned Patent No. 2,583,535 of Robert Adler and is presently utilized in commercial graphic comiunication equipment.

The recording station 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 also includes means for moving the record-receiving sheet 12 across the recording base or platen 11. This means cornprises a motor 33 that is mechanically connected to the feed roller 14-. In FIG. 1, the connection is shown as a direct shaft connection 34, but it should be understood that a belt drive, gear drive, or other suitable drive arrangement may be employed to connect the motor to the paper feed drive roll. The paper feed motor 33 is electrically connected to a paper feed control device 35 that constitutes a control means for actuating the motor when it is desired to remove a portion of the record-receiving paper web 12. from the platen and replace it with a fresh section of the paper. The paper feed control 35 may be actuated by a sensing switch located adjacent one corner 7 of the platen i1 and energized by movement of the recording pen 13 to that position, utilizing the control system described in detail in the aforementioned patent of T. I. Ress, No. 2,621,249. On the other hand, a separate manually actuatable control switch or other control arrangernent may be employed for the paper feed control 35 wthout in any way departing from the present invention.

The recording station 1&3, as thus far described, is quite conventional in construction. Assuming that the device It) is utilized as the receiver in a graphic communication system, suitable signals received from a transmitter unit are supplied to the pump comprises a motor d2 that is electrically connected to a paper feed control unit 35 so that motor 42 is energized whenever paper feed motor 33 is actuated. Alternatively, pump 38 may be connected directly to the paper feed drive shaft 34, or other arrangements may be made to actuate the pump on an intermittent basis. It is preferred that the pump be actuated in synchronism with the paper feed operation, but this is not essential.

The ink supply line 39 and the return line 41 are each connected to an auxiliary reservoir system that is described more fully hereinafter in connection with the detail description of pen assembly 18. Each time paper feed control unit 35 is actuated to energize paper feed motor 33, motor 42 is also energized to drive pump 38. A limited quantity of ink is then pumped through line 39 to an auxiliary reservoir in pen assembly 18. The auxiliary reservoir constitutes the direct ink supply for pen nib 21. Any excess ink in the auxiliary reservoir is pumped back to main reservoir 47 through line 41, assuring a fresh supply of ink in the pen assembly. 18 at all times.

FIGS. 2 through 9 show, in substantial detail, the construction of pen assembly 18, which constitutes the subject matter of the present invention. As best shown in FIGS. 2-5, a mounting bracket 43 is mounted upon pen support arm 17, near the end of the pen support arm. Bracket 43 is preferably fabricated from stainless steel or from some other material substantially resistant to adverse environmental conditions. The bracket may be afiixed to the support arm by any suitable means, as by soldering, brazing, or other comparable techniques.

Mounting bracket 43 includes a pair of vertically extending arms 44 and 45 having suitable apertures for receiving the servo motors 27 and 31, driving the pen 18 across the recording medium 12 on the base 11 to inscribe a message thereon. The station 10 also includes a pen-lift mechanism, comprising a solenoid 36, for moving the pen 18 through a relatively short distance toward and away from the record-receiving sheet 12 to provide the necessary breaks between words and other elements of an ordinary written message. The pen-lift mechanism is described in greater detail hereinafter.

After a given message is recorded, it is necessary to provide a new record-receiving sheet for reception of the next message. To this end, the paper feed control 35 is actuated and supplies an actuating signal to the paper feed motor 33. The motor 33 drives the paper feed roll 14 through a predetermined number of revolutions to advance the paper sheet 12 across the recording base 11 and thus supply a fresh record-receiving sheet on the recording base. In receiver operation, the paper feed control 35 is energized by a suitable signal from the transmitter as described in detail in the aforementioned patent to T. I. Ress. The paper feed operation and the recording operation do not ordinarily proceed simultaneously.

The ink supply for transceiver 10 includes a main ink reservoir 37 that is connected to a. pump 38. Pump 33 is a dual-chamber pump that pumps ink outwardly of reservoir 37 through a supply line 39 to pen assembly 18 and that also pumps ink back to the main reservoir through a return line 41. Pump 38 may be of any desired construction, a preferred pump structure being described and claimed in the aforementioned application of Bussey et al. 7

Suitable driving means are provided for pump 38. In the schematic arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, the drive for a pen pivot shaft 46. Shaft 46 is held in place in the mounting bracket by means of a retaining clip 47 having lugs or ears 48 and 49 that engage the undersurface of the pen pivot shaft. The configuration of retaining clip 47, when mounted in bracket 43,. is best illustrated in FIG. 5. Clip 47 may be fabricated from spring steel or other suitable resilient material.

A pen pivot bracket 51 pivotally mounted upon shaft 46. 'Bracket 51 isof yoke-like configuration, having spaced arms 52 and 53 disposed at opposite sides of pen support arm 17, as shown in FIG. 2. The right-hand ends of the arms 52 and 53, as viewed in FIG. 2, terminate in outwardly projecting lugs 54 and 55. The lefthand portion of the pen pivot bracket embraces cylindrical pen housing 56. Housing 56 is of circular crosssectional configuration, but other configurations can be used if desired. This portion of bracket 51 includes a pair of aligned inwardly projecting lugs 58 and 59 (FIG. 2) and a stop member 61 that projects back beneath the end of pen support arm 17 (FIG. 3).

A pair of cylindrical bearing members 62 and 63 are aflixed to the arms 52 and 53, respectively, of bracket 51, as shown in FIG. 2. Bearing members 62 and 63 engage shaft 46. Each of the bearing members is engaged by resilient driving member comprising a spring 64, spring 64 being provided with two spaced arms 66 and 67 that extend around the bearings 62 and 63 and into engagement with the bracket lugs 54 and 55 respectively. The lower portion of spring drive member 64 comprises a transverse element 68 that connects the two spring arms 66 and 67 below pen support arm 17. As shown in FIGS. 3-5, member 68 of the spring is engaged by a connecting rod 69, the rod 69 being connected to pen lift solenoid 36 (FIG. 1).

Another spring 71 is included in pen assembly 18. Spring 71 includes a projection 72 that is engaged in a slot in the upper surface of pen support arm 17 to mount the spring on the pen support arm. Spring 71 extends along the surface of the pen support arm for a short distance, around shaft 46, and into engagement with the lugs 58 and 59 of bracket 51 that extend across the top of housing 56 (FIGS. 2-4). Spring 71 normally maintains pen tube 56 in alignment with pen support arm 17, in the position illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, but permits 1 pivotal movement of the pen housing to bring the pen into recording contact with paper web 12, as described more fully hereinafter.

The end of pen housing 56 adjacent pen support arm 17 is closed by a closure member comprising a plate 74. Plate 74 is slide fitted into pen housing 56 to close off the end of the tube completely except for two apertures through which flexible conduits constituting the ink supply line 39 and the ink return line 41 extend.

A second and somewhat similar closure plate 75 is mounted within housing 56 at the medial portion of the pen tube. The ink supply line 39 extends through plate 75 as shown in FIG. 7. The return line 41, however, does not project this far into pen housing 56. Instead, return line 41 terminates with a curved section 76 located just within the chamber 77 in housing 56 that is established by plates 74 and 75. Plates 74 and 75, as well as housing 56, are preferably fabricated from corrosion-resisting material such as stainless steel, and may be brazed, soldered, or otherwise secured in place in the pen housing.

Chamber 77, referred to hereinafter as the sump chamber, is vented to the atmosphere by means of a vent 81. The vent 81 includes a tubular element 82 mounted on housing 56 in encompassing relation to a relatively large aperture in the housing. A plastic vent member 83 is mounted within the vent tube 82, member 83 having a substantially conical internal opening that terminates in a relatively small vent opening exteriorly of the pen tube. Member 83 is fabricated from a material that is not readily Wetted by the ink employed in the operation of pen assembly 18, and thus may be said to be ink-phobic. Typically, a polyethylene plastic may be selected for this purpose, where an aqueous ink is used, although other materials may also be utilized. Tube 82 may be brazed or otherwise suitably mounted upon pen tube 56. The internal vent member 83 may be bonded to tube 82 or may simply be fabricated to afford a snap fit within tube 82 to hold it in place.

6 A pen tip plug or closure 85 is mounted in the end of housing 56 farthest from pen support arm 17. Thus, plug 85 and internal closure 75 define another chamber 87 within the pen tube, referred to hereinafter as the auxiliary ink reservoir. The ink supply tube 39 extends through plate 75 and terminates in auxiliary reservoir 87.-

In addition, chamber 87 is connected back to sump chamber 77 by means of an elongated overflow tube 88 that also extends through plate 75 (see FIGS. 4 and 7). The ends of tube 88 are cut at an angle, in each instance,

to prevent blocking of the tube during assembly of de-' vice 18, should the tube accidentally be moved longitudinally into engagement with either the rear closure 74 or the tip closure, plug 85.

Closure plug 85 is preferably not brazed or otherwise permanently secured within pen tube 56. Instead, a tight fit is provide between the plug and the interior surface of the pen tube, and a liquid-tight seal is afforded for auxiliary reservoir 87 by means of an O-ring sealing member 89 that is disposed in an encompassing groove 91 in plug 85.

Plug 85 is provided with a tapped opening 92 that is aligned with a suitable opening 93 in pen tube 56. The tapped opening 92 receives the threaded shaft 94 of a ball-shaped magnetic keeper member 95 that includes a support or seat member 96. Magnetic keeper 95 is utilized for the mounting of a manually operable stylus on pen assembly 18, particularly in accordance with the aforementioned Patent No. 2,937,917 of Myron L. Anthony. If some other form of mounting arrangement is preferred for the manual stylus, keeper 95 may be replaced by the corresponding part of the preferred mounting.

Plug 85 is also provided with a relatively small longitudinal aperture within which a pen tube 97 is mounted. As best shown in FIG. 4, one end of pen tube 97 is located within auxiliary reservoir 87 in pen housing 56. The other end of pen tube 97 projects outwardly of plug 85 and is connected to a depending nib tube 98 that constitutes the external portion of nib 21. The lower end of nib tube 98, as seen in FIG. 4, receives a pen point insert member 99, and it is the point member 99 that actually engages the writing medium in the use of pen assembly 18. Point member 99 may be fabricated from a relatively hard and durable metal, but preferably is of a material such as sapphire that will permit extended use of the pen without substantial wear, yet affords a smooth writing point for the pen.

At the beginning of a recording operation, it may be assumed that paper feed control 35 is energized, actuating motors 33 and 42. Motor 33 advances paper web 12, as described above, to place a clean record sheet on base 11 (FIG. 1). Motor 42 drives pump 38 and pumps ink from the main reservoir 37 through supply line 39 and directly into the auxiliary reservoir, chamber 87. The pump construction should be such that at least enough ink is pumped to pen reservoir 87, during each paper feed operation, to assure full recording of any message that may be inscribed during the next recording operation.

It only a simple message or a very short message is recorded, only a very small quantity of ink is used from auxiliary reservoir 87. Consequently, during the next paper feed operation the supply of ink pumped into auxiliary reservoir 87 may exceed the capacity of that chamber. When this occurs, the excess ink overflows, through tube 88, and back into the sump chamber 77. Whenever any substantial quantity of ink is present in sump chamber 77, it is pumped back to the main reservoir 37 through return conduit 41.

It will be apparent that the auxiliary reservoir 87 that feeds the pen directly is not itself directly vented to the atmosphere. However, effective operation is maintained because this reservoir is effectively vented to the atmosphere through tube 88 and the vent 81 in sump 77. Rapid acceleration of pen assembly 13 in an axial direction does not interrupt the flow of ink to pen 21 through tube 97, and does not cause flooding, due to this indirect venting and the dual-chamber construction of pen assembly 18. Consequently, an adequate and regular supply of ink is supplied to writing tip 99 under virtually any writing conditions, even though the pen assembly may be mounted in a manner such that pen support arm 17 extends directly vertically upward.

In the recording of most forms of data, as noted above, it is necessary to move pen 21 into and outof engagement with paper web 12. The initial operating position for pen assembly 13 is that shown, in which the pen tip 99 is spaced from the paper web. To engage the pen with the paper Web, solenoid 36 (FIG. 1) is energized, pulling connecting rod 69 to the right as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. This movement of the connecting rod pulls on the resilient drive member, spring 64, and pivots pen bracket 51 in a counterclockwise direction about shaft 46. The resultant pivotal movement of pen assembly 18, which is mounted on pen arrnli by bracket 51, moves pen 21 downwardly through a limited distance and into contact with recording medium 12. The solenoid is maintained energized during the recording operation, being de-energized only for those periods in which pen 21 is to be lifted clear of the recording medium, as in the space between" words in a written message. Each time the solenoid is de-energized, spring 71 operates to restore pen assembly 18 to its initial position as shown in the drawings.

Stop member 61 is used to prevent excessive movement of pen 21 in the event that support arm 17 is moved out of its normal alignment with respect to the supporting base 11. Thus, any excess movement of the bracket 51, beyond a predetermined limit, is prevented by engagement of stop member til with the lower surface of pen support arm 17.

On the other hand, the use of the spring member 64 as the driving element in bringing the pen 21 into engagement with the recording medium prevents damage to the pen as the result of premature engagement of the pen with the recording medium. Thus, once pen 21 engages the paper, any further movement of connecting rod 69 tending to pivot bracket 51 additionally in a counterclockwise direction (FIGS. 3 and 4) is absorbed merely by further bending of the spring, so that there is no damage to the pen. It is thus seen that the dual spring mounting for pen assembly 13 effectively compensates for the relatively heavy weight of the pen, in the course of a pen lift operation, making it possible to use a much heavier and rugged pen construction than has heretofore been desirable in graphic communication systems.

When pen assembly 18 is used for transmitter purposes, the pen is driven directly by a stylus mounted upon magnetic keeper 95 or upon some equivalent connecting member mounted on this end of the pen. The use of a relatively heavy and rugged pen housing 98, together with the limited aperture contact tip 99, affords a strong pen structure quite capable of withstanding substantial abuse in transmitter operation. Unlike many recording pens used in comparable applications in the past, the pen tube 97 need not be particularly flexible, and, accordingly, can afford the requisite strength and durability for transmitter service. To provide improved visibility with respect to the Writing tip of pen 21, the end plug 85 of pen assembly 18 is cut away, in the portion thereof encompassing pen 21, to give a better view of the pen. If de sired, a tapped opening 1491 may be provided in the forward end of plug 85 to afford a convenient mechanical connection to the end plug and thereby facilitate its removal for cleaning and servicing of the pen if this proves necessary.

Hence, while preferred embodiments of the invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that they are capable of variation and modification, and we therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desire to avail ourselves of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

We claim:

1. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication recording station comprising a movable pen support member for moving apen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, and ink supply and return conduits connected to said main ink reservoir, said recording pen assembly comprising:

an auxiliary ink reservoir connected to said ink supply conduit;

a recording pen connected to said auxiliary ink reservoir, for recording data with ink received from said auxiliary reservoir;

a sump connected to said ink returnconduit;

an overflow passage connecting said auxiliary ink reservoir to said sump to drain excess ink from said first auxiliary reservoir back to said sump;

means venting said sump to the atmosphere;

and means for mounting said assembly on said pen support arm.

2. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication recording station comprising a movable pen support member for moving a pen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, ink supply and return conduits connected to said main ink reservoir, and pump means for pumping ink through said conduits said recording pen assembly comprising:

an auxiliary ink reservoir connected to said ink supply conduit;

a recording pen connected to said auxiliary ink reservoir, for recording data with ink drawn by capillary action from said auxiliaryreservoir;

a sump connected to said ink return conduit and located immediately adjacent said auxiliary ink reservoir, said reservoir and said sump having a common wall therebetween;

an overflow passage connecting the upper portion of said auxiliary reservoir to said sump, through said common wall, to drain excess ink back to said sump;

means venting said sump to the atmosphere;

and means pivotally mounting the entire assembly on said pen support arm for movement into and out of a pen contact position in which said pen engages said record medium.

3. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication recording station comprising a movable support member for moving a pen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, ink supply and return conduits con nected to said main ink reservoir, and pump means for pumping ink through said conduits, said recording pen assembly comprising:

a cylindrical housing;

first, second and third closure members separating said housing into an auxiliary ink reservoir chamber and a sump chamber connected to said ink supply and return conduits, respectively;

a recording pen, including a pen tube extending through said first closure member, for recording data with ink drawn from said auxiliary reservoir chamber;

an overflow tube, extending through said second closure member, for draining excess ink from said auxiliary reservoir chamber to said second chamber;

an ink-phobic vent member, aligned with an aperture in said housing opening into and venting said sump chamber;

and means for pivotally mounting said housing on the end of said pen support arm to provide for movement of said recording pen into and out of engagement with said record medium.

4. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication recording station comprising a movable support member for moving a pen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, ink supply and return conduits connected to said main ink reservoir, and pump means for pumping ink through said conduits, said recording pen assembly comprising:

a cylindrical housing;

first, second and third closure members separating adjacent longitudinal portions of said housing into an auxiliary ink reservoir chamber and a sump chamber connected to said ink supply and return conduits, respectively;

a recording pen, including a capillary pen tube extending through said first closure member and into the lower portion of said auxiliary ink reservoir, for recording data with ink drawn from said auxiliary reservoir;

an overflow tube, extending through said second closure member, from the top of said auxiliary reservoir to said sump chamber, for draining excess ink from said auxiliary reservoir into said sump chamber;

a conical, ink-phobic vent member, aligned with an aperture in said housing opening into and venting said sump chamber;

and means for pivotally mounting said housing, at the sump chamber end thereof, on the end of said pen support arm to provide for movement of said pen into and out of contact with said record medium, said mounting means including a resilient drive connection for moving said housing into pen-contact position,

5. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication transceiver comprising a movable support arm for moving a pen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, and an ink supply. conduit connected to said main ink reservoir, said recording pen assembly comprising:

a pen housing enclosing an auxiliary ink reservoir connected to said ink supply conduit;

a recording pen supported by said housing and connected to said auxiliary reservoir, for recording data with ink received from said auxiliary reservoir;

mounting means pivotally mounting said housing on the end of said support arm;

biasing means normally maintaining said housing in a given non-recording angular position, relative to said support arm, in which said pen is displaced from said record medium;

resilient drive means, connected to said mounting means, for pivoting said housing to bring said pen into a position of recording engagement with said record medium;

and means for mounting a manually operable stylus on saidhousing to provide for manual pivotal movement of said housing between said recording and non-recording positions.

6. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication transceiver comprising'a movable support member for moving a pen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, ink supply and return conduits connected to said main ink reservoir, and pumping means for pumping ink from and to said main ink reservoir, said recording pen assembly comprising:

a pen housing enclosing an auxiliary ink reservoir con- 10 for recording data with ink drawn from said auxiliary reservoir;

means connecting said auxiliary reservoir to said return conduit to drain excess ink back to said main ink reservoir;

mounting means pivotally mounting said housing on the end of said support arm;

biasing means, comprising a first spring engaging said mounting means, normally maintaining said housing in a given non-recording angular position, relative to said support arm, in which said pen is displaced from said record medium;

resilient drive means, comprising a second spring connected to said mounting means, for pivoting said housing to bring said pen into a recording position engaged with said record medium;

and means for mounting a manually operable stylus on said housing to provide for manual pivotal movement of said housing between said recording and nonrecording positions.

7. A recording pen assembly for a graphic communication transceiver comprising a movable support member for moving a pen across a record medium, a main ink reservoir, an ink supply conduit connected to said main ink reservoir, and pumping means for pumping ink from said main reservoir through said conduit, said recording pen assembly comprising:

a pen housing enclosing an auxiliary ink reservoir connected to said ink supply conduit;

a recording pen for recording data with ink drawn from said auxiliary reservoir, said pen including a rigid capillary tube projecting from said auxiliary reservoir, a nib tube connected to said capillary tube and extending toward said record medium, and a hard gem-like insert in said nib tube, constituting the Writing point of said pen;

mounting means pivotally mounting said housing on the end of said support arm;

biasing means normally maintaining said housing in a given non-recording angular position, relative to said support arm, in which said writing point of said pen is displaced from said record medium;

resilient drive means, oconnected to said mounting means, for pivoting said housing to bring said Writing point of said pen into a recording position engaged with said record medium;

and means for mounting a manually operable stylus on said housing, closely adjacent the nib of said pen, to provide for manual pivotal movement of said housing between said recording and non-recording positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,635,977 Ranger July 12, 1927 2,583,535 Adler Jan. 29, 1952 2,621,249 Ress Dec. 9, 1952 2,649,503 Adler Aug. 18, 1953 2,711,442 Cahoon et al June 21, 1955 2,937,917- Anthony May 24, 1960 2,977,180 Zenner Mar. 28, 1961 3,102,770 McKeegan Sept. 3, 1963 3,116,964 Zenner Jan. 7, 1964 

1. A RECORDING PEN ASSEMBLY FOR A GRAPHIC COMMUNICATION RECORDING STATION COMPRISING A MOVABLE PEN SUPPORT MEMBER FOR MOVING A PEN ACROSS A RECORD MEDIUM, A MAIN INK RESERVOIR, AND INK SUPPLY AND RETURN CONDUITS CONNECTED TO SAID MAIN INK RESERVOIR, SAID RECORDING PEN ASSEMBLY COMPRISING: AN AUXILIARY INK RESERVOIR CONNECTED TO SAID INK SUPPLY CONDUIT; A RECORDING PEN CONNECTED TO SAID AUXILIARY INK RESERVOIR, FOR RECORDING DATA WITH INK RECEIVED FROM SAID AUXILIARY RESERVOIR; A SUMP CONNECTED TO SAID INK RETURN CONDUIT; AN OVERFLOW PASSAGE CONNECTING SAID AUXILIARY INK RESERVOIR TO SAID SUMP TO DRAIN EXCESS INK FROM SAID FIRST AUXILIARY RESERVOIR BACK TO SAID SUMP; MEANS VENTING SAID SUMP TO THE ATMOSPHERE; AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID ASSEMBLY ON SAID PEN SUPPORT ARM. 